High school competitive
cheer: Bears, Lancers look for 3 solid rounds at regionals

By Jason
Mitchell

February 26, 2009

Three solid
rounds could equal a trip to the Division 2 competitive cheer state finals
for Lakeshore and St. Joseph.

The two programs will compete in the Division 2 regional Saturday at Caledonia. Both teams' coaches
stress the importance of a solid overall performance in order to finish in
the top four at regionals. The top four qualify for
state.

"We need to put all three rounds on the floor at the meet," said
Lancers coach Jenna Ruddell. "That's something
we haven't done yet this season."

Bears coach Ronda Cogswell said an improved third
round is key for St. Joseph.

"Our round one and round two have been fairly consistent,
but not round three," Cogswell said. "I
think our round three this weekend will be our best."

Twelve teams will be at the Caledonia regional. Of the 12,
four are ranked in the top 10 in Division 2 (Grand Rapids Christian, Mount
Pleasant, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills and Mason) while two are honorable
mention (Cedar Springs and Sparta).

Neither area team was ranked in most recent poll.

"It's the hardest of the two (Division 2) regionals," Ruddell said.
"We've seen every school there except Grand Rapids Christian."

Cogswell said preparing for regionals
isn't much different than any other event in the season.

"It's the same as any other practice," she said. "We'll be
cleaning everything up as much as possible."

Ruddell said she's using regionals
as a teaching tool for the Lancers, and hopes the
experience will help build up the program.

"We're working to have a state-level program every year," she said.

St. Joseph has been competitive
at the regional and state level for a number of seasons.

"By this time of the season, everyone is in shape and everyone is
conditioned," Cogswell said. "It's all a
matter of getting it all to click at the same time."

St. Joseph was third at last
Saturday's district competition, while Lakeshore was fourth.

Other schools competing in Saturday's regional are Haslett, Portage Northern
and St. Johns. The competition
begins at 10 a.m.